Is Disney World Eroding Fan Goodwill?
While reading the comments to the recent news about Walt Disney World charging for parking, I noticed many readers indicated that this was their tipping point: they were done with WDW. This has been a trend I’ve in comments to stories of this kind the last couple of years. More and more one-time fans seem fed up with what they view as nickel and diming, and practices that don’t value them as customers.
It’s easy to write off these comments as hollow words that won’t be backed up with action when it comes time to book their next vacation. Impassioned initial responses will give way to cooler thinking or ways to adjust behavior and ‘make it work’ to continue feeding the Disney addiction. The internet being what it is, there is no doubt some (a lot) of that.
However, dismissing the chorus of complaints out of hand would be foolish. I’ve been around the fan community a while, and have seen a lot of people move on the last few years; fans with thousands of posts suddenly disappearing or social media accounts changing their focus. These are just the prominent, visible examples. If even the most passionate fans felt alienated, no doubt more casual lurkers have reached their own tipping point. For me, this raises a couple of interesting questions: has Walt Disney World eroded fan goodwill, and if so, will that have negative ramifications down the road?
For those unfamiliar with the term, goodwill is basically the consumer relationship with and perception of the brand “Disney.” What you think when you hear the word, the loyalty you have as a result of past experiences, and how likely you are to be an advocate for the company. (This is all reductionist, but it provides a working understanding of the term, and why it’s a significant intangible asset for Walt Disney World.)
In Walt Disney World fandom, this manifests itself in myriad ways. People accumulate thousands of posts on fan forums, spend their hours discussing the parks on social media, and even descend upon the comments sections of articles critical of the parks. People spread the ‘Disney gospel’ to family and friends. Heck, it even leads the most overzealous fans to start blogs about Disney, documenting every experience, no matter how insignificant.
Historically, the Walt Disney Company as a whole has enjoyed exceptional consumer goodwill. Last year, Forbes ranked it as the #6 most powerful brand in the world (#1 was LEGO). The year before that, Disney claimed the #1 spot in Forbes’ measure of goodwill. Those impressive rankings sort of beg the titular question here. However, I’d argue that there’s a significant difference between goodwill for Disney and goodwill for Walt Disney World, which is a subset of the former.
For Disney as a whole, it’s easy to see why goodwill is so high. The company has a solid reputation as being family-friendly, producing toys and television shows that kids love. Then there are the Disney and Pixar-branded animated films; both studios have enjoyed an impressive streak of films that are well-received by families. (I’m inclined to withhold Star Wars and Marvel from consideration here, as I’m not entirely sure the average consumer associates those with Disney.)
Evaluating the theme parks is a bit trickier. Whereas every first-run movie, regardless of quality, costs the same amount to see, theme parks exist in a world of vacation destinations that are not exactly apples to apples comparisons for a multitude of reasons. Pricing, crowds, nature of the experience, etc., all vary dramatically, making head to head comparisons exceedingly difficult.
It’s entirely possible that Walt Disney World enjoys a similar level of goodwill as the Walt Disney Company as a whole. Given the prevalence of “Disney parks are overpriced, tourist traps” articles and sentiment in the mainstream, I find that a very difficult premise to accept.
Walt Disney World does enjoy its own unique reputation, earned from decades of its–and Disneyland’s–existence. The United States Disney parks are viewed as rite of passage vacation destinations where parents, even the most cynical and Disney-averse, take their children. Hugging Mickey Mouse (and capturing the photo to prove it!), getting that first flight on Dumbo, being tall enough to ride Space Mountain, etc., all are experiences that have become ingrained in our culture. Suffice to say, Walt Disney World is an American institution, and a place many people aspire to visit.
Among the general public–the ones who don’t read blogs like this–experiencing this cultural touchstone is important. In today’s strong economy, it’s also easier to justify. Sure, there will be sticker shock when seeing hotel prices, but they’ve heard brand advocates like us touting Walt Disney World for decades.
As a culturally-important, rite of passage vacation at a time when unemployment is at historic lows and they have record high confidence in the economy, Walt Disney World is very appealing for casual consumers. This is true even if the vacation costs $6,000 to $8,000 and requires going into a bit of debt to fund.
These first-time visitors who will spend big on their vacation, doing everything they can to ensure that their important trip lives up to expectations, are a lucrative audience for Disney. These guests generally don’t know hacks to save cut costs, and generally spend more money than regular guests. (Obviously, there are exceptions to every generalization–we know plenty of Annual Passholders who are merchandise-addicts.)
A compelling argument can be made (one that I’d agree with) that Walt Disney World is tailoring its business strategy towards one and done visitors, eager to score big financial results in the short term. Right now, it’s also quite conceivable that Walt Disney World is not particularly interested in loyal customers. It doesn’t need them to fill hotels, and doesn’t recognize their long-term value.
The first problem with this line of thinking is what happens when another recession hits or an event negatively impacting the tourism industry. Since 2000, this has occurred twice. Even if you think the fundamentals of our economy are sound (I don’t), it does not take a vivid imagination to envision a time in 5 years or less when things are not so rosy.
During both of the past recessions, Walt Disney World discounted heavily and was very much reliant on its ardent fans to pick up the slack. Following the last recession, the argument was made that Walt Disney World is ‘recession-proof’ in light of its healthy performance.
I’d retort that this misses the mark. Historically, Walt Disney World fans have had an ironclad passion/addiction that they would prioritize going to Disney over other discretionary expenditures. More casual middle class families with kids of the ‘right age’ would do likewise since the parks enjoyed such a strong rite of passage reputation. Sound promotional strategies plus these demographics meant that a recession was not enough to discourage robust attendance numbers.
This raises several questions. Are there still just as many fans with that ironclad passion today as there were a decade ago? If not, can those one-time fans be lured back with aggressive discounting? Is Walt Disney World raising new generations of fans in the same number as it raised my generation and those before mine? Does Walt Disney World’s longstanding institutional rite of passage reputation outweigh its newfound “Walt Disney World is a playground for the wealthy” reputation?
I don’t have the answers to any of these questions. I’m guessing Disney does not, either (if they’re questions even being asked within the company). While I can understand Disney’s eagerness to capitalize on short term trends, I’m weary of what some of the company’s decisions mean in the long term. There are obviously still a ton of things I love about Walt Disney World, and I’m incredibly enthusiastic about what’s on the horizon between now and 2021. I also have a bit of trepidation about pricing trends, and find myself a bit disenchanted with a business plan that, in my opinion, does not hold a whole lot of regard for loyal customers.
Planning a Walt Disney World trip? Learn about hotels on our Walt Disney World Hotels Reviews page. For where to eat, read our Walt Disney World Restaurant Reviews. To save money on tickets or determine which type to buy, read our Tips for Saving Money on Walt Disney World Tickets post. Our What to Pack for Disney Trips post takes a unique look at clever items to take. For what to do and when to do it, our Walt Disney World Ride Guides will help. For comprehensive advice, the best place to start is our Walt Disney World Trip Planning Guide for everything you need to know!
Your Thoughts
Has Walt Disney World lost some of the goodwill you once held for the parks? Do you agree or disagree with our analysis? Other thoughts on this topic? Any questions we can help you answer? Hearing feedback about your experiences is both interesting to us and helpful to other readers, so please share your thoughts below in the comments!
For the past 8 years my wife and I and our two children with spouses plus 4 grandkids have spent 8 day vacations at WDW staying at our favorite AKL during the “wine and food festival”. This year the HUGE PRICE INCREASE,plus the PAY TO PARK feels like a slap in the face . We can tolerate increases but they went WAY OVERBOARD this time. Disney Execs sit at the table saying “ DONT WORRY THEY WILL STILL PAY”, Don’t forget all the other increases in tickets,food and anything with a price tag, the “ nickel and dimeing “ that Disney is famous for. Room rates went up almost $1300 in one year, this is corporate greed at the highest level.this weekend I’ll tell the grandkids to read “Harry Potter” we are going to Portofino, can anyone imagine the prices when “Star Wars “ opens. Disney you crossed the line with your corporate greed,but I’m still keeping my Disney Stock.
yes it is a slap in the face!!! Disney will price itself out of business!!!!
I shudder to think what will happen to both crowd levels and pricing when “Star Wars Land opens. I love WDW, as does my family, but at least my daughter will be able to say she went a few times.
We are skipping WDW this year (and probably next), going “for our lungs” on a 10th anniversary/second honeymoon this summer, but when we next go to the Orlando area, I asked my 8 year old “Harry Potter” fanatic if she would rather go to Universal for all the Harry Potter attractions, or WDW…as of now, Universal is winning out in 2020.
I’m expecting Star Wars land to be a hard ticket event.
It’s a little frustrating to see. I was holding out that the 4 new a Club 33 locations in Disney World, along with other new upcharges (like VIP ride “tours”) would help bring some of the regular ticket prices down. And I was fine with that. If reach people want to pay $10K+ per year for a Club 33 membership to feel like they’re part of an exclusive club, I mean hey, it’s their money to spend.
I’m afraid that these price hikes and nickel-and-diming might be a result of two things: the colossal, $1B cost of developing the MagicBand tech, and all of the new attractions opening up from a Pandora in 2016, all the way out to the Tron coaster scheduled for 2021.
If my husband wasn’t active military, I’m not sure how frequently we’d be able to go. I’m dreading the possibility of them axing the Saluted to Armed Forces tickets.
As much as I, my wife, and our 8 year old love WDW, my 8 year old has discovered Harry Potter (and read the entire series). Universal with its Harry Potter attractions is looking awfully attractive these days.
We’ve done a WDW vacation 4 of the past 5 years; this year we will be skipping due to a big, 10th wedding anniversary vacation. When I asked our daughter if she wants to go to Universal and not WDW the next time we go back to Florida (maybe 2 or even three years from now….this year is going to be very expensive for us), she didn’t hesitate to say yes.
For some perspective: The big amusement park in my area is Cedar Point in Ohio. In 1991 a day pass was $22. In 2017, the price is $67 . . . That’s a 3x increase – for Cedar Point!
Ticket prices for most entertainment experiences have increased at the same rate over the same period, so it’s really not a Disney-exclusive issue.
Oh, our first world problems . . .
The big park 20 minutes from me is Six Flags (though Hershey is only about 2.5 hours away, and we have season passes for there); a season pass at Six Flags costs LESS than a discounted day pass, when parking is factored in (and a season pass includes parking).
Can’t see Disney pricing the same way….or even like Hershey, where a season pass costs less than three visits (and includes PREFERRED parking, and food and merchandise discounts).
Peter,
All due respect, but comparing WDW to Six Flags is like comparing Celebrity Cruises to Carnival Cruise Line. Sure, they both have ships but one catches fire, the toilets overflow, and you get to drift around on the ocean without power for a few days. LOL.
Brent
Having read several of your replies, you seem rather smug and full of yourself. If I had to guess, I’d say maybe it’s a generational thing.
That aside, OF COURSE WDW and Six Flags are not on the same level. The point being made is WDW prices have increased much, much more than the ate of inflation, year after year, decade after decade. Also, that ‘The Muse” has made an art form out of “nickel and diming” to get every last penny he can out of consumer’s wallets, unlike many other parks.
Thanks for the article. Unfortunately, my disenchantment began in 2013-14. The ever increasing prices (on EVERYTHING), the sub-Disney standard service of some of the short-term college hires and the objective of packing the parks so full of “guests” that one can hardly move at any given time of year has definitely taken away the magic bit by pixie-dusted bit. I have been a die-hard Disney fan for 30 years. I used to say to people who would cringe at the price of a Disney vacation that “Disney was the only vacation that you would take that you wouldn’t think about the price you paid once you entered the gates”. I no longer feel that way. I no longer feel like a guest. I’ve been to both coasts and even Disneyland Paris. I’ve taken multiple cruises, including the Mediterranean. I’ve bought many of the children’s movies that we’ve seen. I could tell you the company history; I am a true well-rounded Disney fan but in my humble opinion, the Disney name and standard and objectives are on a slippery downward slope on all levels. Yes, they can add attractions, or upgrade their resorts. They can add ships and build new theme parks throughout the world; but if they don’t stay loyal to their loyal base, who will “market” for them in the end? For even their “new” customers will require some loyalty in return when they become returning guests. It’s a shame, really… I think they need to re-visit their own philosophies.
The college intern program isn’t anything new. One of my closest friends got an “internship” back in 2003, and she worked Disney with tons of college kids. They became lifelong friends. Her major was communications, and she was placed as a hostess at the Contemporary. So, it wasn’t actually a related internship, but she loved it. She spent a semester in sunny Florida and has memories of watching the fireworks with all her new friends from the rooftop of the resort.
Anyway, you certainly might have become disillusioned with WDW around 2013/2014, but your explanation for it isn’t on point. Perhaps that was just a reason you looked for? Personally, I went in 2003 to visit my friend and again in 2009. Both of those times were OK. Our *best* trip to Disney was a little over a year ago, and that’s the one that got me hooked.
I stay in a 2 bedroom , 2 bath condo that took me 20 minutes from Magic Kingdom parking lot to my condo door. Bet you can’t do that in their buses. I also get a full Kitchen, with washer and Dryer in unit for $120 night. I certainly wouldn’t stay on property now with the added costs. We were thinking of trying Universal next year. This has made out decision easier. Harry Potter here I come. I will still stay off property.
We stayed “on property” once. The worst hotel experience.
The room was at least a few years past needing to be gutted. The carpet that at one time was textured was now worn down. Around the edges you could still see the lattice pattern. The drawer in the nightstand kept coming out and we’d use a band aid to keep it from rolling open, then the maid would take the band aid off…. repeat….
The shower was moldy, wouldn’t turn off so it kept dripping. We called maintenance and they sent someone out, but in the morning we couldn’t get the shower on since they had tightened it so bad.
the bus service was a colossal waste of time. We lined up and it took 3 buses to get on one, but they were coming every 15 minutes. 45 minutes waiting, then it seemed to take forever.
Sorry, but now I stay off property and rent a car. In fact, we bought at Bonnet Creek so we’re locked into vacations there.
Disney thinks they can charge a premium, and they can, but they need to deliver a premium product and that isn’t going hand in hand with the price increases.
We too bought a place located just 3 miles from WDW. We have a 3 bedroom/2 bath 1410 square foot condo at Windsor Hills Resort which boasts a spectacular lagoon style pool, tennis courts, basketball courts, sand volleyball, waterslides & fun zone for the kids, theatre, workout area, etc. When we’re not staying there, we rent it out for extremely reasonable rates ($90 to $135/night depending on the season). Our condo has a full kitchen, washer/dryer and screened lanai as well as access to BBQs and of course, free parking.
Do yourselves a favour and stay off site. For additional information about renting our condo, go to our “Closest to Disney” Facebook page.
A charge now for parking, what else will be added! My sister and I spend 10 days at a resort when we go once a year for our vacation, now do we do one day less so we can pay our parking fee or do we stay off property. We are season pass holders form PA and SC and have always stayed on property but we are getting priced out. I fill we will be doing our last Christmas party this year as a ticket with our passholder discount is $100.11, it is a great night but at $20.00 an hour I don’t think it will be on our list next year. My happy place is turning into can I really afford to do this every year.
I hope, Tom, that all these comments, both in favour and against, the parking fee will be seen by the powers that be. They can see the grassroots reaction in all its passion and rethink their rash decision to put profit against value for their product. I’ve been going since 1971 and was just there last week. Despite the uptake in crowds and lines, which detract from the pleasant experience, I still found the parks clean, the CMs pleasant, the rides did not break down, there were no more or less rude guests than anywhere else or any other time. I’ve had some of my best meals at WDW in the last few years, especially at The Wave and California Grill at the Contemporary.
The truly negative experience was the unbearable line at the security checkpoint at Epcot. I just went through the checkpoint getting on the monorail at GF, waited for another monorail at the TTC because I was with my mother on a scooter and there was no room on the one that was docked, only to face a more than 20 minute wait once I arrived at Epcot to check my one small cross body bag that holds a phone and a change purse, only to miss my window for the FP to Frozen. I went straight to Guest Relations where they reissued the pass and then I rode the ride.
I’m hoping that this sampling of feedback to do with the “straw breaking the camel’s back” will be seen by the powers that be and re-examined to make a truly better guest experience. I am a DVC member and more often than not take the ME and use transport, but that doesn’t mean that the parking fees aren’t equally offensive to me.
Thanks to Tom for writing an always meaningful blog.
Lill,
I agree about the security. It is an illusion that provides virtually no protection against a determined individual who wants to attack a large crowd at an American icon. My wife and I were talking about it last evening and she is reassured by it at least deterring ‘Joe Stupid’ from doing something.
As for Disney execs reading this, highly doubtful. Disney will get over 70 million visitors this year in the parks (average is 200,000 a day). Tom gets what, a few thousand readers? Out of that, maybe a few hundred will post their complaints about how awful Disney is for charging parking fees, raising ticket prices, etc. The silent majority will continue to plan their special Disney vacation and just budget for the extra fees. Unless those individuals stop coming, Disney has no reason to listen. Since I have worked at WDW, the smallest crowd at MK has been 41,000 people and the largest (other than NYE) was about 65,000. With that many guests coming every day, do you really think management cares about a few whiners hiding behind their keyboards? Many of the threats of not coming back are empty rhetoric, though I am sure a few actually mean it and won’t come back. Disney doesn’t need them and more than likely is better off without them. If Disney was really focused on the ‘one and done’ guests, they would not be promoting DVC so heavily and building new resorts. DVC is all about repeat guests and they are exempted from the new parking fees and get up to a 25% discount on APs.
please tell me why disney seems to want to take the main things that made disney magical away from us. If this was just about parking fees I believe you wouldn’t hear a peep from many people. They in the last few years have made hollywood studios a shell of itself. Then they take away the one ride anyone at any age can ride in the great movie ride. Tell me that couldn’t have waited. They take away the best christmas event they have ever had. They could have found another area for the Osborne lights but they felt like it was more trouble for them. In their haste to make things better they are losing a lot of the magic that made them special. They want to make more money at Casey’s so They take away the cartoon and bleachers seating that made that place a lot more fun. Now its basically a sterilized restaurant. A few years ago you could go to the Christmas party for close to 50 dollars now its double that. I’m sorry is it twice as much fun. The sky ride was also very enjoyable there. Busch gardens still have theirs and it runs smoothly tell me Disney is not better than them. I have been going to wdw before they even opened the gates they just had the model center to showcase it. Do you go that far back. These same guests that you have disdain for have paid your wages and kept disney open. Believe it or not its those guests that are disney, without them you’d find out no guests equals no disney. Even your sponsors would leave if no one came to see it.
Michael,
So what you’re saying is Disney should be stagnant and never change anything without consulting you? Unless you’re a part of the team that made then decisions, you have no idea why any of the changes were made. You are imputing motives that may not be accurate. Where I come from that’s known as bearing false witness.
Sure, I miss some of those things, too. But I am more excited about the new developments that have arrived and are arriving. Disney has always changed things. That’s how it became the industry leader in entertainment. Every entertainment company wishes it could be Disney. You think they’re hosing loyal fans? I am one of them and I wholeheartedly disagree. I am an AP, CM, and love spending time in the parks, the resorts, and anywhere on property. I think Disney gives me good value for my money, unlike any of its competitors. You like Busch Gardens? Go there. Perhaps it will show you the loyalty you want and never change anything.
I think your response here is a bit harsh. I’m a big WDW fan and repeat customer and I’m all for some change, I think some updating and upgrading and expansion and additions are definately exciting & needed! But I also think too much is taken away before much new is open!
Especially at HS. Maybe they could have put the Osborne lights elsewhere. I’m sure those great Imagineers could have come up with something. Maybe they could have waited a bit till some other projects were complete before closing the Movie Ride. They lost 2 rides and a big show and the Osborne lights and there was not a lot there before. Disney has been making billions in profits! Couldn’t they have expanded into some unused surrounding areas to open up some new rides or shows before shutting down the old? Wouldn’t have had to be an over the top exciting new Star Wars land but perhaps a couple of nice simpler rides might have been nice to add on before shutting down so much. Maybe give people more space to move around and something else to see or do before shutting down so much. Just a thought! Also, I really hope they do start giving more of the billions they make off us fans to their hard working CMs through better wages and benefits! I’d be more than happy to pay an extra parking fee if I knew the money would go directly to the workers at the bottom and not into an even bigger bonus for the rich fat cats at the top!
MD,
I hear some of the things you’re saying but I think the situation with DHS was dire and with all the additions, things needed to shut down. The Great Movie Ride lost its sponsor in 2017 and was closed to make way for something that will be more fun for the kids. Moving the Osborne lights somewhere else in DHS would not have worked for the full show, it would have been reduced in size and boy the bellyaching that would have erupted from the longtime fans then.
In short, there was no way to make everyone happy. I remember when Disneyland closed some of my favorites and how upset I was. But that’s what defines progress.
In case you couldn’t tell those are opinions. Not saying your not a intelligent person but lets find out the next recession how you all do and before you make a assumption nobody knows the future. Again the main thing I see from you is your disdain for the people paying your wages (ie better off without guests, people complaining, whiners hiding behind their computer) kinda sounds like you are upset about the people paying your wages and those were your words not mine. No false witness there, just using what you said. If like some of your friends you want to leave good we’re better off without you
Michael,
No, I’m not upset about the people paying my wages at all. I work hard to make their experience magical every day. I’m upset about the whiners and the entitlement mentality of the ‘we’re never coming back crowd.’ Those are two different groups of people.
Sorry I am still in the first camp of coming back I love disney. Just miss some of the things they have done. My trip will be to disneyland this year as I have never seen a different disney park outside of Florida and to be honest with you I can recite every ride song ride spiels and can pretty much tell you by heart where everything is without a map by heart. I am just in need of seeing some new rides new restaurants new hotels etc. I may not be the only one in my position. My mom at the age of almost 70 and can’t go on any hollywood studios rides right now but that’s another story. In closing can’t wait to try radiator springs, Indiana Jones, the roger rabbit ride. The enhanced pirates of the Caribbean. Then never went to universal except for hhn so that will be 2019 and by the time everything is up and running will return by 2020
I’ve been going to Disney for 30 years (since I was a kid) and it has ALWAYS seemed expensive to me. But whatever my budget, I found ways to economize and make it work . . . My sister and I even camped at Ft Wilderness one year, and we’re not the outdoorsy types! I’ve brought my own food and beverages. I’ve bought the basic, non-park hopper passes. Done DVC Rentals. Drove a car from Detroit instead of flying. And although I far prefer to stay on-site, I stayed off-site once.
I have many friends who think I’m crazy for ever staying on-site because of the cost, and I guess I’ve always viewed it as a huge value-added splurge (although Disney’s Value Resorts are only around $120/nt which is very affordable, IMHO).
There are always ways to cut costs if one is willing to be flexible in his/her standards.
I am saddened to say that I am a WDW die-hard that is starting to make plans for other vacation options after this year.
I have been going to WDW annually for 9 years now. As a small family of 3 we could not believe the discounts and incentives that started back in the early 2000’s. We felt so lucky to be able to go to the “wealthy people’s vacation” land. We have always enjoyed the moderate level everything and took a fair bit of spending cash we had built into our budget. However, in the past 1-2 years, I have noticed a huge change in prices. Keep in mind too though that I am Canadian and the exchange rate has not been in our favour.
Still as a true fan, I became an Annual Passholder last year and researched and found many discounts online. Nevertheless, annual increases and fewer incentives have made an impact. I completely understand that all of the construction, improvements and innovations are costly, but it’s just too much for a normal family with an average income.
I definitely will be rethinking my vacations in 2019 and going forward. It’s really sad for us because we just absolutely love everything about WDW, but it’s just not feasible for us anymore.
The way I look at it is my daughter got to enjoy Disney in her key Disney years – 5-14. She felt the magic and hopefully she can still experience it a few more times before she has her own family. But we certainly won’t be going every year anymore, we won’t be annual passholders and we won’t be gushing over WDW when we share experiences with our friends. Still – we had a great run Disney.
For all of the people defending WDW, your point is well taken. Of course they have to pay for all of the improvements, and of course they are a business and have the right to turn a profit. For those who are arguing that this is just a couple hundred dollars more, I have to disagree. This is death by a thousand cuts. When I went to WDW on my honeymoon in 1996, the one day park ticket was $38.50. Currently that same ticket is $108-$129 depending on when you go. The cumulative rate of inflation since 1996 is 59%. The median cost of a park ticket now compared to 1996 is about a 200% increase. There is not THAT much more to do in any given park now than in 1996.
The rack rate for a standard room at a moderate resort in 2005 (the earliest I could find) was $134. Currently a standard room during the value season at Port Orleans Riverside goes for $284. The cumulative rate of inflation since 2005 is 29.98%. The room rate is over a 100% increase. The rooms have not changed that substantially. And now there is an additional fee for anyone bringing a car.
Does WDW have the right to do this? Yes. Does it make sense for them to do it as long as people will pay it? Absolutely. Does it feel fair? No. It’s slowly, piece by piece, pricing out the middle class and people who have grown up going to WDW on vacation. Disney isn’t evil. To my knowledge no one is saying that. It just stinks for those who would still like to go and are getting priced out.
Leslie,
I have stayed at both of the Port Orleans resorts and have never paid a rate close to what you quoted, even during peak season. Nobody, except the very uninformed, pays the rack rate for a Disney hotel. There are ALWAYS deals, such as the 25% off special at many hotels going on now, free dining promos, or other package discounts. APs can save 20-30% per night, which for a week virtually pays for an AP or two multi-day tickets.
The alternative, it seems, is that Disney can become the Carnival Cruise Line of the theme park industry. I, for one, would be pissed if that happens.
Of course. There were discounts years ago too. It’s all still a wash and the same percentage increases.
I’m truly happy for you that you’re getting a better experience and are able to afford the increases and find the good discounts. My point is that not everyone can afford it anymore, even with the discounts. I just have some empathy for those people and am asking for a little perspective for them.
Leslie,
I do empathize with people that cannot afford a Disney vacation staying onsite but Disney cannot be everything to everyone. No entertainment company can. For example, the cruise industry has many different cruise lines, most of which I have sailed with at one time or another. My favorites are Disney and Celebrity but I rarely sail with either of them because they are far more expensive than their competitors. Do I get more for my money when I sail with them? Absolutely. The same can be said about Disney. I would rather see higher prices, smaller crowds, cleaner parks, etc. than a low-priced theme park full of trailer trash dumping their garbage everywhere. An old adage says you can get quality, service, or price but not all three.
Just so you know, I’m not a wealthy elite. I work four jobs, including one as a CM for $10.50 an hour to feed my Disney addiction. I probably spend every penny I make from the company on passes, meals, and merchandise. LOL.
I agree100%. We have also been priced out of a Disney vacation. We have stayed at rivreside many times and enjoyed the dining plan when available. It’s sad that we just can’t afford to enjoy Disney as it once was. Walt would not have done this to his fans . But he did not build Disney world based on greed and profits. Profits are necessary. But at a rate all people can afford. Unfortunately this is not reality
I understand the frustration many feel at the sense of being “nickeled and dimed,” but I don’t see much consideration for the fact that the massive refurbs and park additions/enhancements have quite a hefty price tag. For some price increases and added fees, I think the relatively small cost increase is well worth what visitors will get in return – incredible new park attractions. It looks like I’m in the minority, but I don’t see the parking fee as a greedy “money grab,” but as a fair way to help pay for the enormous expenditures/investments in the parks. Maybe I’m just used to paying a parking fee pretty much everywhere I go now, but it doesn’t seem so outlandish.
For people who are so offended that they don’t plan to return, would you be happier leaving pricing the same, but for Disney to halt all new construction and park innovation? If pricing were stagnant, then the parks must be so, too.
The (very modest, IMHO) price increases as part of the cost of the evolution of the parks . . . and I like seeing just how far Disney can dream!
****** BTW, I googled parking in Orlando and there are ways you can minimize this expense. I see rates of $3.95 per day at MCO, where you can park your car and take Uber or Lyft to your hotel. Better yet, Disney’s Magical Express is FREE from MCO if you’re staying at a Disney Resort. Park your car for cheap and relax on your ride to your resort
: )
Hi Jen,
I think you hit the nail on the head. Disney is making many improvements on the property from new roads and bypasses to new attractions to new transit systems like the Skyliner. Most of these improvements generate zero in revenue so it has to be made up elsewhere. Thus, ticket prices increase, parking fees are added, and hotel prices rise.
In addition, CMs want raises to a living wage level. Paying CMs around $10 an hour for a 30 hour work week doesn’t even allow them to rent an average apartment in the Orlando, let alone buy food and clothing and transportation. My own rent is $1350 a month for two bedrooms and that is cheap for this area. It’s a good thing I don’t work at Disney for the money! I work there to make magical experiences for guests.
The irony of this thread is that the ‘fans’ are whining about crowds, transit systems that are ‘broken’, rising prices, etc. Disney is trying to address all of these issues, which takes money above and beyond the normal operating costs. Most fans do not understand that Disney Parks and Resorts is a separate operating unit that must generate its own revenue and profits for the company. Right now, Disney Studios is the big generator of profit but that profit is not transferred to parks and resorts to pay expenses.
Also, the tiered pricing was designed to smooth out the crowd levels at certain times of the year. It has worked but for those who usually visit at ‘lower’ crowd times, they’ll find an increase in the number of people. Visitors in July will see less crowded parks than in the past, at least that was my experience last summer. Sometimes I think Disney ‘fans’ want the parks to be a hidden secret that nobody knows about and never changes from the WDW they remember as kids. Everything changes and everything gets more expensive. Disney has to find a way to cover all the increased costs and still provide value to its shareholders, guests, and CMs.
Thanks, Brent, for your nuanced comment. The price increases encompass much more than people give thought to, so it’s good to give context to why people are paying a bit more.
I’m also a big supporter of a livable minimum wage of $15 per hour and I would be willing to take a shorter vacation in return for knowing CM’s earn more. If every visitor took a moment to consider how important CM’s were to their vacation experience, I’m sure most would agree a small increase is worth every penny!
I think your talk about willing to pay more for better wages for CM holds no water!
Have you forgotten Walt Disney Resorts laid off 250 IT workers and replaced them with H-1B visa workers from India!! And to boot they Forced them to train there replacements.
With that type of disregard for workers you think paying more at WDW will result in higher wages for CM!! If so I have oceanfront property in AZ for sale!!
As for the new road construction around Disney this might not be a money maker per say but with yearly price increases for tickets more than covering these expenses and no telling what they are charging businesses per SF to be in Disney Springs where a lot of the construction was at to bring more people in.
You are correct on The parks are a smaller slice of the pie compared to the movie studios but the parks are in no way loosing money and every year they become a larger piece of the pie.
It would be one thing if they just raised the ticket price to where they wanted it to be.
Same gripe with airlines! All the fees drive me nuts. I think many will agree each year we get less and a more watered down Disney Magic when we are spending more and more. Thats the issue.
Sorry Brent, but a “Living Wage” for a Disney CM is laughable. It’s not a job you take because you want to raise your kids and have enough money to run around on, it’s a job you take because you’re a broke high school or college student that lives on campus or with your family.
If you want a living wage you work at a job that offers good money or you work at one of these starter-jobs while you’re training for a better job. That’s all they’re good for, getting started. Not raising a family of 10.
It’s just not a skilled position, you can’t expect it to pay as one.
I believe every person who puts in an honest days work deserves a living wage! There are many different types of people working at WDW. They’re not all students who live at home with their mom & dad. They may not be carpenters, dentists or lawyers but to say they’re unskilled is wrong. Considering the huge profits Disney is pulling in every year they should be sharing more of that wealth and paying their employees out on the front lines decent benefits and a living wage!
Sorry MD, but your socialist opinion isn’t how business works. Skills = money. Unskilled jobs = low pay because you can hire anyone with a decent attitude off the street to fill the position. And in the case of Disney, you’d have hundreds of college age kids that would happily work there for free.
It’s a starter job, like Melissa said. Nothing more.
Well Disney replaced 250 IT workers with HB-1 visa workers from India! And then made them train there replacements!! If Disney can’t pay skilled IT workers they will never pay the entry level employees much more than someone at a fast food restaurant. They are dirty the way they treat employees in this way!! No one should be replaced by foreign workers when we have hard working Americans to do the job!
With parks now accounting for 33 percent of Disney and 18+ Billion income a year they are not loosing money! They are speculating that parks could eventually take over media networks to be the leading top line contributor in the company!
Will prob happen after Star Wars open!
David, that is horrible! Because Disney can afford to pay their people, IT workers and others, a decent wage. They’re pulling in billions! Very disheartening.
Anthony, I didn’t say they should be paid high incomes, like a doctor or lawyer, I said everyone who puts in an honest work day deserves a living wage! A decent wage that a person can live off of! I’m Not against capitalism. And though their skills may not be the same as or as valuable as some they certainly are not all unskilled! In fact many people with college or university degrees have trouble finding work in their chosen fields, some “skilled” people may lose a job they put many years into because of cutbacks and layoffs, and I wouldn’t be surprised if some of those people ended up cast members. There are all kinds of people working there. Some are parents. Some are grandparents. At any rate, it certainly takes some talent and skills to deal with the masses of people who come through the parks every day, do it well and keep a smile on your face! Sure you can pay higher “skilled” people more if what they’re doing is more valuable to you, of course, No problem, I’m not against That! But If people are working full time I believe they should be able to afford the basics in life. They should pay their employees a living wage. Why not? Disney makes huge profits and they can afford it. Nothing wrong with sharing some of the wealth with the hard working people who helped you get it. Happy people are better at customer service and more productive. And if by chance they end up having a little extra money in their pocket at the end of the day and they’re not too busy working 3 jobs, night and day, 7 days a week just to stay alive, then maybe they will take some of that extra money and go out and spend it in their community which is good for the economy, good for everybody!
MD, I think you’re confusing corporate income with the job’s worth. The job isn’t worth a “living wage” because again, it is unskilled and any cheerful kid can do it – and many would do it – for free.
Regardless of how much money Disney pulls in every year it would be the ultimate stupidity to overpay for work, any work, that you don’t have to.
Do you pay your McDonalds cashier double what your order was just to make them earn “a living wage”? Of course not, and you shouldn’t expect Disney, McDonalds, or any other STARTER POSITION to pay that either.
As for the mothers, grandmothers, aunts, uncles, and best friends that fall on hard times and have to work there, they understand that it’s a teen job and won’t pay well. It’s just a get-me-by job meant to keep you from starving while you find something else. Or you can do what many of us have done when hard times hit, get two or three starter jobs until you catch the good one.
Never work at a starter job and think that’s going to get you by. You’re taking a job meant for a high schooler working for extra clothes money and expecting it to pay your rent. That’s simply stupid.
Well if all that Disney wants are young employees who live with Mom & Dad and work part time /short term – only there for some spending money then it’s rather unlikely that mosy of those employees will ever be very committed to giving excellent customer service. High staff turnover is not good for any company that wants to give excellent customer service. I’ve been to McDonald’s. I even worked there as a teenager and they treated us fairly well but I didn’t plan on being there too long so I didn’t really care much about my job there. I would think working at Disney parks with all of its magical expectations and the massive daily crowds would be a little more difficult than working at McDonalds. As a customer at McDonalds it’s certainly never been a magical experience for me, you dont expect much when you go there and it certainly doesn’t cost you as much. Thought Disney could do a little better for its customers and it’s staff and in turn the surrounding community. They’re certainly raking in more than enough profits that there would still be lots leftover for expansions, refurbishments and Igers big bonus checks! Not everyone can be a professional. Not everyone is a genius. Doesn’t mean they dont deserve to eat and keep a roof over their heads. If you work hard and do a good job and you are giving great customer service and you’re an asset to your company, if you are helping to bring in the profits and they need you and many more like you to keep the business going and if they’re raking in more than enough profit to do so then why wouldnt that company pay you a wage that you can survive on? Having too many “starter jobs” as you call them and not enough full time “living wage” jobs available is not good for the community, not good for the economy. Some smaller companies can’t afford to pay as much as others. Some places maybe you have to put in a couple years or more before you start getting better wages or more hours. I’m not saying all entry level jobs at all companies should get paid top dollar, I’m not saying everyone should be paid the same, I’m saying a huge company like Disney who is raking in billions in profits can do better and they should do better. That’s just my opinion about how I think things should be. If you’re a fan of the rich getting richer and richer and the poor getting poorer and poorer until there’s no middle class left that’s certainly your prerogative.
MD, again you’re getting hung up on “They’re certainly raking in more than enough profits”.
How much money Disney or any other company makes in a day/week/month/year has nothing to do with how much they pay entry level jobs. They aren’t a charity.
If you work hard, do great work, and like you said, “you are giving great customer service and you’re an asset to your company”, you’ll get promoted up the ladder just like any other company. IF you can show consistency for a few years. Disney isn’t paying their multi-year stellar performers 10.00 an hour. They are paying their first year people and the non-stellar CMs lower wages because – again – you don’t work at Disney to provide for a family. You work there because you love Disney and want to be a part of the magic, or you just need a job and it was what was available at the time.
You seem really hung up on the whole profit angle. I’m not sure what made you hate successful corporations and people, but I think you should spend some time imagining yourself in that position. Not immediately, but scraping and scrounging and working hard to get there over many years then someone comes along and tells you that you need to pay a snot-nosed kid 15.00 an hour to call in sick every third week.
I don’t hate successful corporations at all. Successful corporations that give back to their employees and the community are good for the economy. I believe extremely successful and profitable businesses should share the wealth and not just give it all to those at the top, and not all successful business do that, some do give back to the community and to their employees – even lower level employees . There are only so many upper level jobs to go around and Not everyone who makes the effort gets promoted no matter how hard they work. I’m not the only person who feels successful businesses who can afford to should share the wealth with its employees. There is a ripple effect when wages increase, when more people have a “living wage”. Leading economists will tell you a higher minimum wage is good for business and the economy. 75% of Americans surveyed believe there should be higher minimum wage.
“Leading economists will tell you a higher minimum wage is good for business and the economy. ”
Sorry, but no. Higher minimum wage means corporations are paying a premium for bad service. This means more money in the sector, which raises prices for everyone due to inflation. Any basic college economics course will tell you the same thing.
You’re still asking a corporation to pay more for something that costs less to provide (which would raise prices again…), and you’re also insinuating that Disney isn’t giving back to its community. I find that insulting to say the least, as would many avid Disney fan and the entire state of state of Florida that touches a Disney dollar several times every day. Those condos, businesses, fast food joints, mini golf pop-ups, etc. aren’t anything without the “Big D” doling out the dollars.
Before you reply again, please think about your argument in the larger scheme of business economics. If you’re a high schooler or in MS, I understand and I’ll taper off a bit. But if you’re a grown man/woman complaining that the “big mean corporation ain’t fair” you need more help than anyone can provide in a simple forum back and forth.
With all due respect, 50+ Canadian economists recently wrote a letter to support raising the minimum wage in Ontario up to $15.00/hour. But I think we’ve gone off track with this post. Our blogger was interested (I think) on people’s perception (and possible reaction to) the price increases (including parking fees) at WDW. Whether or not it’s a good business decision has yet to be seen.
http://www.progressive-economics.ca/2017/06/29/economists-support-15-minimum-wage-in-ontario/
Patti,
Your referenced political letter (not a study nor a published paper on the subject) is not signed by 50+ economists, but 50+ individuals that support the minimum wage increase to $15.00/hour in Ontario. Some are simply administrators, some are political appointees, etc. Also, not a single paper is cited, instead the author uses amorphous phrases such as “the latest economic research” which sound great, but mean nothing on its face. This is a tactic used often in political campaigns. Be wary of strangers bearing gifts.
Regardless, WDW has shown that the public will shoulder this burden, albeit not happily if you’re a regular, and continue to visit the parks. Sure they’ll complain at first, but soon enough things will even out. The attendance numbers are still high as of this comment with barely enough room to squeeze through to the Dole Whip during a weekday at 11am. 🙂
Anthony, I didnt say they were mean, didnt say they dont give back to the community in any way either. I said big profitable corporations that share the wealth with their employees and the community are good. I said Disney can “afford” to pay their staff a living wage and they are already making enough billions in profits that they could do so without even raising their prices more. It is my OPINION because they can “afford” to do it that they should pay staff a living wage. That would be good not just for those employees but also for the community, for the economy. I believe the level of service those people give to the paying customers is valuable and important. I dont think Disney gives a damn what I think and I’m totally OK with that! And, Yes, they are going to keep raising the prices regardless! Yes, they can continue to get away with paying staff less than they deserve so they probably will. I actually think you’re the one being narrow minded and not looking at the big picture. Do a little more reading. Look at some of the other countries that are doing better economically, have a better standard of living, lower poverty, less homelessness, lower crime. Do you know what a ripple effect is? At any rate, I’m entitled to my opinion! I’m not in high school, I’ve finished college, I have a great income, I’ve bought a home, raised 2 kids and we saved for their college education as well. I’m fairly open minded and optimistic and I’m guessing I probably read a lot more than you might. I’ve worked hard but I’ve also been somewhat lucky. I see many people every day who have worked just as hard as I have but have not been as fortunate. I do not believe it is healthy economically or otherwise for any country to have masses and masses of people having to work 2 or 3 jobs, working themselves to death, just to feed themselves or their family and keep a roof over their heads or they’ll end up homeless. I do not believe good customer service is not valuable. Not everyone is getting paid what they are really worth. Disney could not operate without all of those people . Just because you can get away with paying people less doesn’t make it right. I dont believe in child labor or slave labor either! And Iger is being paid much, much more than necessary, for his skills, for what he does. That is my OPINION. I care about other people, and my community, not just myself. I look at the big picture. But Patti is right that this has gotten off topic. Way off topic. You’re certainly entitled to have your own opinion, as am I. Some people just refuse to believe the earth is round! Let’s just agree to disagree. I have no more time for this conversation that is going nowhere, it’s getting rather boring and I do have a life. You have a great day Anthony. I truly & sincerely wish you well.
It’s obvious surrounding retail, restaurant, entertainment, and resorts are all benefiting from Disney…no brainer. What is sad is that the Disney employees aren’t getting their due of what the Big D brings in in profits. Let them get their well-deserved increase in pay wage but not by nickeling and diming those staying on property by charging for parking.
Anthony. Your many comments justifying Disney paying employees low wages is so far off the track you should be embarrassed. I have three university degrees and a job that pays me over six figures, but I sure as hell don’t take the attitude that those who are “unskilled” and jobs for the teenagers should be paid a wage that hardly pays for the gas to get to work and uni tuition. If you pay your employees well, you retain them, meaning less turnover with training and the in and outs of those just looking for a filler to get by. Hence the morale and loyalty of the employee will be high, making a great experience for the consumer . They would also more likely encourage others to want to work there, and to put money back into the company by buying stuff. It’s clear that your political and economical leaning leans far to the right of the political spectrum, but thankfully many of those attitudes went away after WWII ended.
I think I would be less bothered by the increasing prices if I felt they were treating their CMs better.
We won’t stop going to Disney but we won’t be going as frequently.
We have stayed on property with our car and have always had to have a parking pass that was checked by a guard at the gate.
Prior to last year, we visited the parks once or twice a year. Last year, we had APs and visited the parks much more frequently. Since we recently moved and now live within comfortable driving distance to Florida, we made frequent, last-minute trips last year, staying on or off-site depending on where we could get a good deal. We did not renew our APs this year for a variety of reasons. With the added expense of parking (and the ever increasing price point for even “value” hotels) we would not have been able to make as many trips and stayed on property as often this year. I have no doubt that we will continue to visit Disney World, but I do think it will be at a less frequent rate. When I told my husband (who is a less intense Disney fan than I am) about the parking fees, he was annoyed and said we shouldn’t go this year. I think that is the perfect example of Disney eroding goodwill. He doesn’t follow Disney blogs or twitter accounts, so he had no idea how negative the reaction to parking fees was online. His reaction was a pure, unbiased annoyance at the nickel and diming. Disney’s (pretty lame, in my opinion) official response to the parking fees seems to be that it’s the “industry standard”. I sadly remember a time when Disney used to set the standard.
My husband and I have been going to WDW since 1986, once a year and sometimes twice. We have taken kids and grandkids and now we go alone. Last Dec. 2017 was not a good trip for us. The crowds during a “slow time” were terrible, you could hardly move. We were there the first week of Dec. We are going back at the end of Sept. as my son is getting married. He lives in Fl. When Disney announced the parking fees my husband wanted to cancel. Now is says this is our last trip forever. He is so fed up with the high prices, super crowds and no perks. I will have to visit on youtube as he thinks Disney is charging too much for everything. I will really miss it.
I don’t think a parking fee is a game changer. When prices rise, well you get what you pay for. I will always love Disney and do what I can do vacation there. Vacations are deemed a luxury. Whether it is to WDW, Tokyo, or Camping in Yellowstone, its a luxury. Sadly not everyone can afford that luxury. My trip this December to WDW is in the 6-8,000 range, for me and my husband (we are a NO kids family) and I can’t afford that on my regular income. SO I have a part time job, I planned over a year to save, budget and plan. You do what you got to do for the things you want, and I want Disney.
I have to say that I share Melissa’s perspective on all of this. We typically go to WDW every 3 to 5 years. We are currently saving some every month for our next trip, probably not before 2021 or 2022. WDW “regulars” have been, IMO, spoiled by such things as a history of no parking fees. It was great while it lasted, and I would certainly like to not have the expense (provided I drove a car to WDW, which I haven’t done since the last century), but this is no more unreasonable for Disney than it is for any other resort.
Disney is investing what must be billions of dollars in construction and upgrades right now. I am very impressed, and grateful, that they are not resting on their laurels and that when I return I will be able to have many new experiences, even if not everything coming down the pike appeals to me personally.
It is true that not everyone will be able to afford WDW as prices increase, but that has always been true. I understand the disappointment felt by some as perks that they once enjoyed are taken away. It is human nature to feel that way. However, there is nothing like WDW (aside from other Disney parks), and many, many people are, and will continue to be, willing to save up to experience what it has to offer.
I couldn’t stay away. These controversial topics are like train wrecks! I just gotta watch how they play out!!!
How ’bout we all make a pact to meet back here a year from now and take a count of the people who DID NOT make a Disney trip due to any of the recent changes? That can include allowing dogs in rooms, parking charges, fast pass rule changes…
As I suspect, there probably won’t be too many people who didn’t make a trip due to backs being broken by the proverbial straw. I am just as disappointed as every else, but also hooked like everyone else.
You’re right, many people will continue to go regardless. Not me. Been there several times, no need to go back. Not into Star Wars so any new construction doesn’t interest me. Yay, hello other worldly destinations! Thank you Bob Iger, you’ve helped me remember I want to go on cruises, see Paris, and RV through the west!
I can do that now for Disneyland. Our trip for Christmas 2016 was such a disaster that we didn’t go back and I don’t see that changing anytime soon. They need to get the crowds and the APs under control. 2 hours for a ride? a jam packed crowded park at all hours and all days of our trip? No.
We’re on the West Coast and a weekend down there is doable. A trip to Disney World has a full travel day to and from so it isn’t as often. We’re going Sept / October, but the annual pass to Disneyland lapsed.
Disney parks got no money from us for almost 2 full years. That’s at least 3 trips that were cancelled, and the Annual Pass, that was a high tier with no blackouts….. 3 3 or 4 night stays in a Disneyland Hotel, plus the cost of admission, plus at least $300 a day for food and trinkets….. Oh, and we skipped D23…..
Historicaly, I am a WDW evangelist and enthusiast. I wish I could take my family every year. I enjoy all the details of other’s WDW vacations. Yet increasingly I’m finding myself advising friends, “Go elsewhere.” For our next trip I am seriously contemplating staying off-site, and I’m planning this trip as if it’s the last we can afford for very long while.
If you want to stay off-site, consider staying at s condo, townhome or house at Windsor Hills Resort. We are located just 3 miles from WDW.
Our prices are great ($90-$135/night), parking is free and you have access to all the wonderful amenities the Resort offers (lagoon style pool, duelling waterslides, hot tub, tennis courts, volleyball court, etc).
For pics and availability, check out our Closest to Disney Facebook page
HEY!! This looks great! Thiis is sounding more and more like the best idea (staying off site in a condo). I have been paying for 2 rooms at a value resort for 7 – 10 days at a time once a yr for the past decade. I’m middle class, not wealthy. Obviously we like Disney or we wouldn’t keep going back but the value gas gone down. The cheapest room now is around $134 a night at value resorts, and if you are all adults, or have grown kids who don’t even like sharing a room never mind a bed, then with 4 or more people you cant “comfortably” share 1 room at Disney resorts, so approx $268 a night for 2 tiny basic rooms. (Now add nightly parking fee if you have a car, we fly in & sometimes we do rent a car, sometimes we don’t depending on other plans.)
If I can get a nice 2 or 3 bedroom condo with 2 bathrooms and a full kitchen (plus free parking) for the same price as 1 room at Disney value resorts then I’ll be saving much more than enough money ($134 a night on the extra room I pay for at a Value resort) so that paying for parking at the theme parks is not problem! PLUS with a full kitchen I don’t have to pay for 4 or 5 people to eat out at a restaurant for every single meal saving even more money. Even with the added cost of having to rent a car I’ll still save a ton of money!
I have found the cost of staying on property has almost doubled. My income has gone up too but not that much. The value is no longer there. Between all the price increases and if they’re really not going to be offering free dining promos much longer then I’m definately going to stay off site in the future. I no longer find staying on site worth the extra price. Disney has already raked in many billions in profits over the years. I’m sure it’s more than enough profits to cover for all the current improvements and refurbishments and expansions and additions that they are finally working on that really should have been made a long time ago. I want CMs to have better wages and benefits but I’m afraid this money with all these increases isn’t going to them. Many less profitable businesses & hotels Shopping Centers, etc, in the area that are not charging extra for parking so not everyone is doing this! They’re doing it because they can, not because they need to, and it does nothing to discourage people who wont be there overnight from parking at resorts for free and then using the buses (I have a hard time believing many people are doing this just to avoid parking fees at the parks – sounds very inconvenient time wise and personally if it was me and I’m already in my car then I would rather just pay for parking at the parks) . I can understand why many people are discouraged with the constant increases to the cost of a Disney vacation. It’s not small or insignificant to those without unlimited vacation funds. I don’t think most people complaining are doing so just because of the parking fee, it’s the parking fee added onto everything else. Small increases are tolerable but if your vacation cost almost doubled over the past 6 yrs like mine did it’s huge! And I can’t afford DVC or annual passes and we have to fly there when we go (from Canada).
I used to rent a condo off site first couple trips to WDW before free dining started up and now Windsor Hills (or some place like it) is looking like a great option for me! I never used extra magic hours anyway. Because I’ve gone so many times people often ask me about WDW vacation planning. When people asks me now I no longer recommend staying on site. I tell them abput the cost and other options. I will tell them about Windsor Hills and places like it. For anyone struggling to save up enough for a WDW vacation I would say stay off site! Especially for a middle class family with limited funds. These rental condos are nicer than a room at a value resort and you can save money on food.
I’ll still keep going to the WDW parks just not as often, not for as many days, and I wont stay on site. Not as a protest really but, just because it’s no longer worth the price for me, the value isnt there and there are better ways to spend my vacation dollars. The condos at Windsor Hills and other places look much nicer and more comfortable than the small value resort rooms.
Tom asked about the price increases eroding good will. Obviously by the tone of many of the customers comments here it has. People aren’t whining they’re responding to his question! I don’t expect Disney big wigs to care if me or thousands of others are complaining about price increases or if thousands of people quit staying on site or quit going to the parks because of the price increases. I’m sure they dont care!! They’re still going to be bringing in huge crowds and raking in billions even without those of us who feel we cant afford it anymore or who are feeling just too discouraged by the lack of value for our money. I hope Disney will give a little less to those at the top and a lot more of their increased profits to the CMs at the bottom but I’m afraid they won’t.
MD did you get our contact information?
[email protected]
We can send you pics and additional info.
PS. I concur with your argument for paying better wages to lower income workers.
Thanks Patti. I’ll contact you.
Windsor Hills has both 2 and 3 bedroom condos. The 3 bedroom condos have 1200-1410 square ft of living space, 2 bathrooms, full kitchens, screened in lanai’s and in-unit laundry facilities. Many (like ours) has been upgraded with granite. You can take an Uber or shuttle to the parks to avoid the parking fees. They also have townhomes and homes with up to 6 bedrooms.
Wow! That really sounds fantastic! I’m sold!
PM me via our Closest to Disney Facebook page if you are interested in renting our 3 bed/2 bath condo at Windsor Hills
Hey Patti, can I find info for your condo elsewhere? I don’t do Facebook anymore.
Sure. Email me at [email protected] and I can send you some pics.
You can also find our place on VRBO and Airbnb. I can provide links once you email me.
Regarding parking fees…Up until now, many guests have been staying off-site and parking in on-site resort lots in order to ride the free Disney buses to the parks and avoid parking fees at the parks. By charging for overnight stays, Disney is addressing this issue head on. It also covers the new costs of 24-hour staffing and security to manage these parking lots. How come none of the articles I have read about these “evil” and “greedy” fees bothers to address this? Disney is simply closing a loophole that has long been in existence. But more importantly, if you are staying at a WDW resort, you don’t have to use their parking lot at all! Roundtrip airport and intra-resort transportation is all free anyway!! So I say Good for them! Collect those parking fees, and maybe I can enjoy value added DVC benefits elsewhere.
I had never even thought of it that way – did people actually do that? Shameless!
The best way to head that off is not parking fees for overnight guests, but parking passes. If you don’t have a parking pass for that resort, you pay a fee. If you are eating at a restaurant, then getting that pass stamped, or something like that. No parking pass, no entry. Have a couple of security guards to check the dash of cars for the pass displayed. I thought that’s what they did up until now anyway.
But they are only charing for overnight parking. You can still park at the resorts for the day for free. This really does nothing to address that issue. The parking fee is just a way for them to get more money out of the guests staying on site, as well as try to ensure that people don’t rent/bring cars, therefore making them “captive guests”.
Also, you state that people don’t have to use the parking lot and can instead just fly. That ignores the fact that many of us live close enough to drive. Flying makes no sense for a lot of people!
have you flown in and stayed at All Stars? some mornings it can take an hour just to get to the front of the line and get on the bus.
Except that the people doing this – “visiting the resort” during the day – aren’t going to be charged anything. So no loophole is being closed. So I’m sure they’ll soon start requiring validation to park for free, like a receipt from a resort restaurant or shop.
And the free transportation is great if you’re flying in, but if you drive to WDW then you DO have to use the parking lots. This is just a way to discourage people form having a car on property so that they have to remain inside the “Disney Bubble”. More income from shops, restaurants, and the Minnie Vans from a captive audience is what they’re after.
I’ve never seen a resort parking lot anywhere near full, with the exception of a lot or spots closest to Disney transportation, so I don’t know were these “many offsite guests” are parking.
There is not a huge issue with people parking at Disney hotel parking lots and going to the parks.
I thing that I would have had if this was inplace in the past .
When all my family would go to Orlando. We would stay at different hotels some in and offsite.
We would go visit with each other during the trip at each of our hotels.
Like my Dad stayed onsite and I stayed offsite but now for me to go hang out with my dad onsite.
I would have to pay for parking at his hotel at Disney.
Just another issue that can pop up.
It’s geared to keep people from renting cars that fly. If you have no car you will stay onsite spending 24/7 at Disney. They don’t want dollars going off property. A lot of people will head to malls /universal /sea world ECT. one or more days day of a long trip. Or like me to get a meal at Fogo De Chao!! Yum Brazilian steak house on international drive! Need a review of that Tom!
That’s what they see as the enemy! And if it hurts people that drive to Disney or rent a car so be it. They are banking if they loose some people they will make it up from the people they are keeping onsite for the full vacation.
That is the thought pattern of Disney I have seen in all changes. They plan on loosing a certain amount of people. As long as the number leaving does not make the new fee or charge unprofitable then it’s a gain and new income stream and they have to deal with less people.
But I am still mad and will never get over pirates of the Caribbean!
We wants the red head!!!!
Change is not always good!!
There is no loophole being closed. People will still park there during the day and those who pay to stay on disney property will foot the bill for the freeloaders. That’s not closing any loopholes.
It’s going to be like a parking garage or parking at airport. Get ticket going in and pay when you leave if your not a guest at the hotel!
Except if you live in Florida and drive to Disney. We are the population that fills the hotels in the “off-season” and yet now we get price hikes and parking fees. Seems like a good reason to go to LEGO land and stay at a Hilton for half the price.
They’re not closing any loopholes, day guests still park for free. That hasn’t changed.